Simon Arron didn’t just love motor racing. It crackled within him.
No matter what the subject, his conversation sparked with obscure facts, hilarious anecdotes and sheer enthusiasm for the sport. It was Simon’s gift that he could share that love through his writing, wrought with wit.
A former Motor Sport editor, who contributed to the magazine right up to his untimely death last week, Simon inspired countless fellow journalists and photographers, not to mention his vast number of dedicated readers.
Their tales and tributes, published below, illustrate the life of the much-respected and loved Simon Arron, of Motoring News, Motor Sport, Fast Lane, Daily Telegraph, Grand Prix Year Book, Autocourse, Formula 3000 and Oulton Park renown.
Simon’s passion started from a young age: a teenage Simon Arron would invariably be found spending his weekends at the side of a circuit, camera in hand.
Phil Rainford, friend since school Simon and I went to the same school but were in different forms. It was motor racing that brought us together: we met at Oulton Park in 1974. Simon’s passion – in about an hour he had described every driver in the programme and where they lived – ignited mine.
You couldn’t but be enthused by his knowledge. He was as happy taking photos of banger cars being ripped apart by chainsaws, sparks flying, as he was talking to Kimi Räikkönen in the Formula 1 paddock.
Until we could drive ourselves, he and I would cycle to a grass track in Knutsford; or get the train to White City for the Stock Cars; or the train to Cuddington and then cycle to Oulton. Religiously.
Shot by a 15-year-old Simon at an Oulton Park BARC meeting in 1976
He was a powerhouse of nervous energy at school, excelling at languages – he dreamt in French – and got higher marks, in English, too, while doing less work because of his eloquence; he wouldn’t waste a word.
He loved Altrincham FC and music, too – unfortunately, prog rock when the rest of us were into punk – but everybody knew that motor sport was his thing. He was obsessed and drew racing cars and designed crash helmets – a Bell Star with a peak and his name on it – on his exercise books. And in 1978, we went to see the headmaster to ask if we could take the Friday and Monday off to go to Le Mans on the coach. Simon convinced him it would be good for our French. I wasn’t even taking French A-level!
His path seemed pre-ordained. He took Languages and English at Sheffield University and joined Motoring News straight from there. He had already written reports for it and the Altrincham Guardian.
Phil Rainford and Simon at Brands Hatch in 1985
But he would regularly drive through the night after the Grand Prix at Spa to be at the Gold Cup on August Bank Holiday Monday. He’d be at Lodge Corner for the first practice session not having slept. People would stop to thank him for his Formula 3000 race reports – for making them laugh with the jokes he put in their results. Once he knew they were motor racing fans, he’d chat forever. He didn’t do small talk about other subjects, but motor sport he could talk about all day.
He lived life at 100mph and so his wife Michèle was the perfect foil, the buffer who calmed him down. A bit. Because she understood him, she knew that if she kept him in the house it would be 10 times worse.
David Tremayne, Formula 1 author and journalist
This bouncy little chap came in [to Motoring News], full of enthusiasm. I think I nicknamed him ‘Tubber’. I don’t know why because he wasn’t at all.
When he was at school he had been pestering local newspapers to take race reports of clubbie meetings, so he had been writing since 15 or 16, possibly even earlier. And he was a walking encyclopaedia. He could list a late-1970s Formula 2 grid down to Axel Plankenhorn. You can’t buy that. You can’t learn it. It’s something you pick up as a kid, like a sponge, and keep assimilating for the rest of your life. And you can only do that if you absolutely love it.
Simon witnessed first-hand the emergence of Ayrton Senna and Martin Brundle in the 1983 Formula 3 season. He recently contributed to a documentary on the legendary clash.
Martin Brundle, F1 commentator and former F1 driver Over the decades I’ve only ever experienced one version of Simon, an unfailingly enthusiastic, knowledgeable, humorous, hard-working, and professional journalist. Whenever he made contact about a story he was onto it was a given you’d take his call, and anyway he was politely very persuasive even if you were flat out on something else. He was the essence of a true motor sport fan who also had the talent to record and express his many and varied experiences in both written and photographic form.
1983 also brought Simon in touch with Tony Dodgins. As their careers progressed, they would be joined by Mark Hughes, now Motor Sport’s F1 editor, and would travel the world together covering F1.
Tony Dodgins, Autocourse editor and Motor Sport contributor The first time I met Simon properly was Silverstone in ’83 when he was track-testing a Lotus Cortina classic saloon owned by a colleague of mine, for Motoring News. We both drove and the day didn’t end well, which was nothing to do with Simon… I was immediately struck by his sympathy, empathy and generosity of spirit.
Over the next quarter of a century covering F3000/F2 and F1, we were buddies, room mates and travel companions, along with Mark Hughes. It’s been a true privilege to know him. His enthusiasm and passion for all forms of motor sport, and life in general, was boundless. Who else would fly back from Brazil and jump straight in a car to go and meet a mate racing a Ford Anglia at Oulton Park?
Always upbeat and positive, resilient, funny, witty and kind-natured, he made a great sport even better. A truly great guy.
Linda Keen, former Sporting Scene editor, Motoring News The MN office was a bit stuffy back then – I was the only female on the editorial staff – and so Simon was a breath of fresh air. A scallywag. He went to all these races and was a prolific writer – but when he was playing, he was playing. Often while kicking a football made out of bits of paper around the office. He would write these ridiculous press releases aimed at other members of staff. When one week there was no room for my Sporting Scene section, he wrote a hilarious ‘obituary’.
Simon (left) at Motor Sport News Christmas party. Linda Keen is centre
Linda Keen
He was not so gifted as a racing driver, I have to add: we called him Simon Armco. But he did look like Al Unser Jnr and we would change captions to Simon Unser Jnr without anybody noticing.
There were few journalists present on a cold March day at Silverstone in 1984, but Simon’s enthusiasm for racing in all its forms meant that he witnessed the stand-out debut of a 17-year-old Mark Blundell, whose career he followed closely.
Mark Blundell, former IndyCar and F1 driver
Simon got under the skin of the sport we all love and as such I have always had the utmost respect for Simon and his work.
Silverstone, March 1984. At that time the former Wellington bomber base was still the British Grand Prix’s alternate home and its layout had not greatly changed in 35 years. Yes,…
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His knowledge was second-to-none and as someone who watched me make my motor racing debut and followed me all through my career I never hesitated to take Simon’s call or respond to him as I knew that whatever he would ask or wanted to discuss had merit and passion surrounding the topic. He energy and enthusiasm will be a lasting memory and that straightforward and-no nonsense approach was one that served him well in a sport that will miss him.
Gwyn Dolphin, former editor of Motoring News I joined MN in 1984 and sat at the desk opposite him in the office, so Simon was my introduction to journalism and the working world in general and I became very reliant on him. He showed me the ropes, guided me around. He was just a good, nice, straightforward, easy-to-get-on-with guy.
The publication was doing really well at the time and it was his enthusiasm that drove it along, underpinned it. He was central to the jokes and piss-taking, too – in a good way. He was the heart and soul of that. I have never worked in an environment since where there was quite the same level of friendship; I still cherish them. You had to work long hours and it wasn’t for the greatest of pay, but a lot of people sacrificed that because of the opportunities it provided.
Mark Skewis, former Motoring News and Autosport editor David Tremayne and Simon employed me in 1986. Work-wise, I owe everything to him but it’s the human things I remember. The fun stuff. For instance, he looked after the MN football team. And he was ridiculously optimistic. We were six-nil down to Williams at half-time and hoping to keep it below double figures – they were like proper footballers and we were just a bunch of journos hoofing the ball around. Simon gave us this big team-talk at half-time. We all burst out laughing.
It took two of us to replace him, which was a measure of the man.
The MN office was insane and he was its rock. The heart of the magazine no matter what his title was. Day to day, it was Simon who rallied the troops. But he was also the ringleader of corridor cricket or bar football. Any office spoofs – and there were many – invariably originated from Simon.
We put our initials at the end of reports and features. Simon’s regular order from the nearby sandwich shop was large weak tea, no sugar – hence LWTNS.
He had an indomitable sense of humour that would inspire/infuriate/exasperate/endear – delete as applicable. People shake their head and say, ‘We shall not see his like again.’ I honestly don’t think we will.
Colleagues may not have rated him as a racer, but Simon competed in some rounds of the TVR Tuscan Challenge
Peter MacLeod, Motoring News reporter When he left Motoring News, the vacuum he created, it took two of us to replace him, which was a measure of the man.
I first met him in the Brands Hatch press office in early 1988. I heard him behind me rattling through the runners and riders: chassis, engines, a little anecdote for every driver. It was pure passion, knowledge and intelligence. You couldn’t help warming to him.
But there was so much more to him than his immense motor sport knowledge: his love of nature and photography and, from my side, a strong connection via playing football – though neither of us were particularly good – and music
David Malsher, US editor, Motorsport.com
There are writers whose copy can have a profound effect. And Simon could do it in fewer words than most.
He was never sucked in by Formula 1 – however long and well he wrote about it. You would be far more likely to find him comparing lines taken by Formula 3 drivers down through the Craner Curves than being wined-and-dined at a British Grand Prix. He wasn’t being determinedly non-conformist. His interest was pure. That’s why his opinions were so valuable: he knew truly whereof he spoke and wrote. Yet I doubt he realised how influential he was.
Simon takes the wheel of a stock rod at Wimbledon
Linda Keen
Charles Bradley, Editor-in-chief, Motorsport.com
As a young pup in the bizarre world of Motoring News I was immediately awed by Simon’s sweary approach to his Formula 3000 ‘family’ on lengthy phone calls. You could tell the affection those guys held him in – all mates despite his sometimes acerbic reports.
Remembering Simon Arron, Motor Sport's much respected and loved former editor, who died last week at the age of 61
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His writing style chimed with the readers, too, of course. We loved his humorous F3000 reasons for retirement – before he went on to do likewise with his Formula 1 driver ratings.
He could be quite the taskmaster – he was a stickler for grammar – and I remember him brilliantly holding Norbert Haug to account in the Mercedes-Benz hospitality tent at Le Mans in 1999 after Peter Dumbreck’s crash followed Mark Webber’s two similar shunts during practice. Haug got so angry that he chucked us all out and closed the place down.
Damien Smith, Motor Sport special contributor and former editor
Simon had been doing F3000 reports for Motoring News and Autosport for two years when I took the latter off his hands in 2000. He introduced me to all the bosses and some of the drivers. He didn’t have to do that.
Christian Horner: “Simon Arron was one of the good guys”
He didn’t suffer fools. I used to make a lot of mistakes and he would point them out. He was funny, Northern, very sure of himself and lovely. We spent a lot of time together on trips to races in Europe. He’d borrow a nice car from the Daily Telegraph – he was sub-editing its motoring section, something he was really proud of because his Dad had been a Telegraph staffer.
I played football with and against him, too. Christian Horner challenged us to a game when he was still with Arden International doing F3000. We thrashed about them about 30-5. I always remind Christian of the score.
We also played an F1 media match against the Germans, whose team included Michael Schumacher. They scored after the ball had gone out for a throw-in but Schumacher played on while we all stopped. I remember Simon diving with real aplomb – and missing the ball entirely. I also remember him giving Schumacher gyp about it. It got very tasty.
Christian Horner paid tribute to Simon, unprompted, following the Brazilian Grand Prix. He didn’t mention the football match thrashing.
Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal
“I’d just like to say how sorry I was to hear about Simon Arron. One of the good guys, I’ve known him since I was in short trousers. And he’ll certainly be greatly missed. He was a real character.”
Trackside in hi-vis and camera in hand: the perfect weekend for Simon
Karun Chandhok, Sky F1 pundit and former F1 driver
Simon was a rare person in motor sport where he was unanimously regarded as one of the good guys. His passion for all forms of motor sport was extraordinary – it always amused me how he could switch a conversation about the latest grand prix by throwing in something like “it reminds me of a Formula Ford race at Mallory I saw in 1981”.
Damon Hill and I did some live events for Motor Sport and he knew more about our careers than we did. I always enjoyed chatting with Simon, debating random things such as “the best F3000 driver of the 1990s” or “which was the worst team that managed to get through F1 pre-qualifying”.
I am absolutely heartbroken we won’t get a chance to have another beer and share stories again. The motor sport community is a much poorer place now.
Simon left Motor Sport to cover Formula 1 as a freelance writer, but returned in 2013 as Features Editor, looking to spend less time travelling and more with his family.
Damien Smith I was now editor of Motor Sport. I was a bit worried about an ex-editor joining the staff. He was so independent, such an individual but he loved being part of a team again. It was a more cheerful place whenever he came in: lively, he always had an opinion, which he wasn’t scared of voicing, including to the management. He could be a bit of a bull in a china shop. They didn’t understand him and he didn’t understand them. I can’t imagine him as an editor. He wasn’t management. He just didn’t think that way – about budgets and all the other boring stuff you have to deal with.
Our man on the historic and club scene has had to take his foot off the accelerator – for now – but that's allowed more time to delve into the archives
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Of course, he didn’t stay off the road at all. He was going to Mallory Park or Oulton Park, sometimes both on the same weekend, heading off at 5am in whatever second-hand car he had bought. He got into photography in a big way and bought all the gear. He loved nature as well as the cars and was always taking pictures of the wildlife around the circuits. He was operating in his own weird little bubble.
I loved working with him. I could throw anything at him and he would pick it up and do a brilliant job. But he was totally dedicated to Michèle and the kids: he put Tom and Lucy through private school on his salary; I don’t know how he did it.
Simon once again dictated the rhythm of the Motor Sport office with his infectious enthusiasm and willingness to share his expertise with colleagues.
Ed Foster, former Motor Sport digital editor I asked endless questions about motor racing and he always replied properly, and with a wry smile. He gave lots of time to our podcasts and could be relied on to not only know more about the guest’s career than the guest himself, but also to cough every time he spoke. It was a nightmare for Alan Hyde to edit.
Let’s not forget, he was a superb writer – an entertainer
I was lucky enough to be photographed by him on track and after each session he’d come bounding over and immediately launch into a tirade about how I was useless because I never took the same line. A harsh, but very fair assessment.
He was genuinely a hero. Life should not be measured by how many people liked you, but by how many people didn’t. If we did that, Simon is a mark we should all aspire to.
Jack Phillips, former Motor Sport digital editor It was obvious when Simon was in full flow. Its volume would rise, the quips would drop, and brilliance would flow easily to the page. Yet Simon would still have time. Time to talk and offer advice – a sharp intake of breath was followed by nervous glances whenever your feature landed on his desk, but it invariably returned better. As it did for countless young wannabes and we’re eternally grateful.
We’ll also miss his curious football trivia and his obscure motorsport facts and tales – from him helping Tom Kristensen to pole at Spa to Alain Menu babysitting his son Tom. Even those unsolicited photos of Beckenham birdlife. A privilege to call him a colleague, more importantly a friend.
Simon with a young Tom Arron
Linda Keen
Samarth Kanal, former Motor Sport staff writer Simon Arron didn’t need to make that much time for me. An accomplished, universally-loved writer with enough knowledge to trounce anyone at trivia – whether that be motor sport, wildlife, classic cars (I’ll keep this short) – and a sense of humour to needle me constantly and effectively about my love for American racing, Simon didn’t need to be as humble and kind as he was. I learned so much, I still have his voice in my head when I attempt to lazily use a split infinitive, and I look fondly at the words he left me when I departed Motor Sport: “Bonne chance, mon ami, S. A.”
For that, I am eternally grateful.
Lee Gale, Motor Sport chief sub-editor
I looked forward to seeing Simon’s name pop up in my inbox. His positivity was infectious. His door was always open – he never refused to help with a tricky fact or with a caption problem even when he must surely have been on deadline from time to time. He actively wanted to roll up his sleeves and assist you. And let’s not forget, he was a superb writer – an entertainer.
He’d sometimes send me images of cars he’d photographed from a racing track over the weekend, and then there would also be the occasional picture of a great crested grebe or some such exotic bird that he’d spotted. One of his last emails ended, “We also need to put a Friday beer in the diary… Cheers SA.” I’ll be raising a glass to Simon on the next Motor Sport pub visit. It was an honour to work alongside him.
Simon interviews Emerson Fittipaldi this summer for Motor Sport
James Elson,Motor Sport staff writer My opening interaction with Simon Arron said everything about a wonderful colleague. After sheepishly admitting I hadn’t made it over to Oulton Park from my hometown of Liverpool recently, he informed in a slightly gruff yet good humoured tone that there was plenty of club racing I could have taken in at Aintree.
Once we’d established my clubbie credentials weren’t really up to scratch, Simon was only ever a welcoming and encouraging presence in the office as I made my way in journalism. Possessing one of the ultimate black books in motor sport, Simon helped me with many leads for stories, even finding the time to scan in British F1 programmes in between digging out the latest phone number. He had a generosity and kindness rarely found.
Joe Dunn, Motor Sport editor
Simon was as much a part of the fabric of Motor Sport as the green masthead. He also embodied the sometimes contrary spirit of Bod and Jenks. Not only was he supremely knowledgeable about the history of racing but he also knew his own mind and would stick stubbornly to it. I remember when I took over as editor attempting to get him to join in company-wide marketing meetings. He refused: “Joe I am here to here to write stories and make sure we hit our deadlines. I’m not interested in the other stuff anymore.”
It was a straightforwardness and honesty that I came to appreciate and rely on.
As was his counsel: as a former editor I knew I could rely on Simon’s judgement. The magazine will keep going without Simon and we will continue to hit our deadlines as he would have expected. But it won’t be the same.
